Moon – Render of the Veils

The world of Black Metal is indubitably dominated by the European scene, making it a rare pleasure to hear of bands in the further flung corners of the world, with Australia being about as far-flung as it gets. Yet MOON is here to show the world exactly what Aussies are capable of, having just released their third full-length album, “Render of the Veils” this month. With a total play time of one hour and twenty minutes, this is quite a leviathan of an album, being a post-production recording of their work from the “Clavicula Nox” demo released last year.

In occult beliefs, there is thought to be a veil that separates the world of the living from the world of spirits and demons, with some believing that the apocalypse will come when the veil tears, when the spirits of the dead shall be able to walk among the living on the earth once more. And indeed, “Render of the Veils” really does rip through dimensions and suck you down into the murky depths of esoteric insanity, starting right off with the intro “Immolation Euphoria” all the way through to the closing “Cold Delusions”. The darkly psychedelic strains that percolate the ether take your psyche on an astral journey through unimaginable realms entwined through the fragile soundscapes of aural hellfire. Slow paced melodies weave together with repetitive riffs to form captivating and otherworldly lilting melodies that cascade effortlessly, dragging you (down) under and suffocating you with their sepulchre beauty.

The one thing that really stands out about this album is its sound: “Render of the Veils” is rawer than a vegan’s worst nightmare. Partly due to this and partly because of the experimental nature of the music, “Render of the Veils” is likely to be garner polarised opinions: you’ll either throw down your headphones after the first few seconds, or you’ll sit mesmerized throughout the entire 80 minutes. Bizarre and eerie seem to be the golden standard adhered to here, and the music tiptoes a razor-thin line between nonsensical and ingenious. All in all, MOON is probably best summed up by the words of Sam Dunn: “you either feel it or you don't. You might never get it, and you know what? That's okay, because … we're doing just fine without you”. But whatever you do, at least give “Render of the Veils” a listen; you might just find yourself as blown away as I was.

Tracklist:

1. Immolation Euphoria2. Modraniht3. Oration as Vessel of the Void4. Casting the Shadow5. As Stars Merge with Ice6. Souls Secreted in Transparent Cells7. Tunnels of Lost Thoughts8. Hanged at the Gates9. Mirror of Black Souls10. Corrosion Delirium11. Cold Delusions